Streetcar Named Desire Questions

What are some lies that Blanche tells Mitch?

1. Blanche says that Stella is one year older than herself. 2. She says that she cannot stand a naked light bulb; she does not want harsh light to show her age. 3. She claims to be adaptable. 4. She says that she visits Stella because Stella is feeling run down.

What does Blanche learn about Stanley before meeting him?

1. He is Polish 2. Stella says he is "different species" compared to men at Belle Reve. 3. Master Sargent in Engineer Corps

What is known about Blanche before she speaks her first line?

1. she does not match setting; she is out of place 2. Dressed in white gloves and pearls; elegant. 3. Five years older than Blanche.

What does Blanche say about truth and illusion?

A womans charm is 50% illusion. She tells the truth when its important.

What happend to Belle Reve?

Blache lost it because death/ medical expenses. AND men took loans against the plantation to finance sexual affairs.

How does Blanche interact with Stanley? What is she doing?

Blanche and Stanley do not get along with each other they are always fighting

What is Blanches attitude toward money?

Blanche believes that money can get Stella out of her marriage to Stanley. Blanche claims that she is "indifferent" to money and thinks only "in terms of what it does for you". However, she clearly has expensive taste and wants to meet a rich man.

Why does Blanche ask Mitch to cover the light bulb? What does lantern symbolize and what does covering light bulb symbolize?

Blanche does not want age to be revealed by light. Lantern symbolizes Ugly truth Covering lantern symbolizes ILLUSION

Describe the conversation between Stella and Blanche that Stanley overhears. Give Stanley's reaction. How does Stella respond when Stanley enters after Blanche calls him an animal?

Blanche gives her honest opinion of Stanley: "He acts like and animal..." Stanley enters as if he heard nothing; he asks Stella if Blanche is back. Stella is surprised; she does not know how to feel about Stanley.

Contrast Stella and Blanche's attitude toward Stanley's violence.

Blanche is appalled by Stanleys violence; she thinks that Stella should leave him. Stella thinks that Blanche is overacting. Stella excuses his behavior by saying that anything can happen when men drink and play poker.

Stella introduces Blanche to Mitch. What is Blanche´s immediate reaction to Mitch?

Blanche says that Mitch is superior to Stanley and his friends

How does Blanche offer to "save" Stella? How does Stella react to this?

Blanche tells Stella she can "get out". Blanche says that Shep Huntleigh could set Stella and her up in a shop. Stella does not want to get out of her relationship with Stanley. She does not think there is a problem.

How do Blanche and Stanley feel about eachother?

Blanche thinks Stanley is primitive and not good enough for Stella; she tries to win him over by flirting but it does not work. Stanley thinks Blanche is a phony.

How do Blanche and Stella have different understandings of desire?

Blanche views desire as shameful; Stella does not.

Describe Symbolism of Blanches Bath.

Blanche wants to wash away impurities and sins

How is Stella described in the stage directions? How does she contrast with Stanley, aside from being female?

Calm and gentle. Stella has different upbringing than Stan.

What dramatic function to Steve and Eunice serve?

Comic Relief Releve dramatic tension

How does Stanley react to Stella telling him to wait outside? Why?

He is angry; he does not want a woman telling him what to do.

As the play begins, how is Stanley's primitive nature revealed?

He tosses the meat when he enters. He has no manners; he addresses Stella as "the little woman"

How does Stanley react to news of losing Belle Reve?

He wants to see papers. He thinks that Blanche is a phony and she sold Belle Reve to buy things for herself. He thinks she swindled Stella because she does not show deed of sale.

Why does Blanche ask Stella to turn off overhead light?

Light makes her look old; shows wrinkles, etc.

What do men agree to do the next day?

Play poker at Mitchs house.

Significance of Tamale vendor

RED HOT references sexual and dramatic tension

What mood do the opening stage direction and setting description create? What effect is created with the music of the "blue piano"?

Setting/ stage direction create Serene mood. Blue piano expresses spirit of New Orleans

What reason does Blanche give for being in New Orleans?

She claims to have been given leave of absence from school in May.

What is Blanches reaction to Stella's home? How does she react when Eunice tries to help her?

She doesn't approve of Stella's living conditions (too small/ messy) She asks Eunice to leave her alone.

How does Blanche react to Stella's apartment?

She is unimpressed and dislikes it

What is the signifigance of Mitch´s sliver case?

Silver case with inscription shows that Mitch is well educated and more worldy than other men in his group. This appeals to Blanche. "And if God choose, I shall but love thee better--after--death!" Why, that's from my favorite sonnet by Mrs. Browning!

Why does Stanley throw radio out the window? How does this affect others?

Stanley is agitated by Blanche; her playing fancy music on the radio angers him. Stella and Blanche are appalled. Stella asks everyone to leave. Stanleys friends try to restrain him and calm him down. Mitch says this is ¨terrible¨

When Stanley runs into the bedroom to turn off the music, why does he stop short at the sight of Blanche?

Stanley is in charge. He does not think that a woman (Blanche) should be present at Poker night or control the radio.

Why does Stanley think that Blanche "swindled" Stella?

Stanley thinks that blanch sold Belle Reve to make some extra money and didn't give any to Stella

Why and how does Stanley show his anger during the game?

Stanley yells at his friends because he is losing at poker. He yells at Mitch not to sit on the table and he does not allow Pablo to get chop suey.

Why does Stella take Blanche out during poker night? How does Stanley react?

Stella does not think Blanche can handle poker and Stanleys friends. Stan wants his dinner.

Why does Stella ask Stanley to be nice and understanding to Blanche?

Stella knows that Blanche will agitate Stanley; she does not want problems between them.

Explain Stella's assessment of Stanley in relation to the other men.

Stella states that Stanley is the only one of his friends who is likely to get anywhere because he has drive (as opposed to brains)

How does Stella feel about Stanley's temper? How does she react to him smashing light bulbs on their wedding night?

Stella was thrilled by this.

How is Blanche´s name (White Woods) symbolic and ironic?

Symbolizes Purity. Ironic because Blanche is impure.

Why do men try to restrain Stanley after he throws the radio out the window?

The men know that Stanley has violent tendencies when angry.

Describe the poker players. How is Mitch different from the other men?

The poker players are rowdy. Mitch is quiet and sensitive; he is worried about his ill mother.

How do the other men react to Mitch´s distraction and desire to quit the poker game?

They suspect he quits because he had money... they say ¨Tomorrow you'll see him at the cashier's window getting them changed into quarters.¨

What do comments by Eunice and Mitch indicate about Stella and Stanleys relationship?

Violence has occurred in the past.

How is Blanches drinking problem introduced?

When she is first left alone in Stella's apartment, she pours herself some whiskey; when Stella returns, she denies drinking before, and suggests her and Stella drink.